A poll of over 1,300 people by Mintel found that a third of people prefer the taste of regular wine.

Victoria Moore, the Telegraph’s wine critic, said that low-alcohol wines are “almost always disappointing” and tend to be far too sweet.

“Don't make the mistake of thinking these Frankenstein-like creations will satisfy any craving you might have for wine,” she said.

Despite the critics Chris Wisson, a senior drinks analyst at Mintel, said that low-alcohol wines popular brands such as Jacob’s Creek are proving popular with consumers.

“Females are slightly more likely than males to drink it, and it seems to be the health angle that is driving that,” he said.

Supermarkets have significantly increased the amount of lower-alcohol wine that they sell, partly to meet growing demand and partly to address Government concerns over excessive drinking as part of its Responsibility Deal.

Andy Phelps, category manager for beers, wines and spirits at Sainsbury’s, said that sales of wines with less than 5.5 per cent alcohol in them have risen by 60 per cent over the last year. Sales of sub-10.5 per cent wines have also grown by 8 per cent. Moscato is a particularly popular variety.

Mr Phelps said that female, “slightly older” customers are buying the lighter wines, as are the supermarket’s more health-conscious shoppers.

He also said that people “wanting to save money” are buying the products. Sainsbury has a goal of doubling sales of low-alcohol wine by 2020.

Pubs have started selling the products but are finding that many drinkers are unconvinced about the taste.

Noel Reid, wine and spirits buyer at Frederic Robinson, a family brewer and pub group in the north-west, said that lower-alcohol wines are “still trying to find their feet”.

He said that many of the wines on the market “suffer issues when it comes to the quality and balance of the final product”.

Mr Reid said: “The wines I have tasted have tended to be extremely high in sugar - even for the reds. Unfortunately this almost puts them in the “alcopops” sector rather than the wine sector.

“Whilst we all champion the benefits of responsible drinking, sensible alcohol levels, and of course a cheaper option for the consumer, we don’t have anything on the market today that really fulfils the wishes of the general wine consumer within the lower alcohol category.”